Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
WO 2021/245223 PCT/EP2021/064986
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HIGH DOSE AND LOW VOLUME BOTULINUM TOXIN
TREATMENT OF FACIAL WRINKLES
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention generally relates to the use of botulinum toxin
for the
treatment of facial wrinkles, wherein the botulinum toxin is administered at
high doses
using small injection volumes. In addition, the present invention relates to a
method for
the treatment of facial wrinkles, such as glabellar frown lines, by injecting
a high dose
of botulinum toxin in an area of a subject's face using small volumes of a
highly
concentrated botulinum toxin solution.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Botulinum toxin injections to improve the appearance of facial
wrinkles have
become common in recent years and are now the most popular of all cosmetic
procedures worldwide. Botulinum toxin is produced by anaerobic fermentation of
the
bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Several different strains of C. botulinum
have been
identified, which produce eight immunologically distinct serotypes (types A-
H).
[003] Serotypes A and B have been developed for human use, with botulinum
toxin
seroype A preparations being the most widely used worldwide and US FDA
approved
for aesthetic use. There are currently three leading botulinum toxin type A
products on
the market: onabotulinumtoxin A (BotoxNistabel , Allergan, Inc., Irvine, CA,
USA),
abobotulinumtoxin A (DysportclAzzalure , Ipsen, Paris,
France), and
incobotulinumtoxin A (Xeomin /Bocouture , Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Frankfurt
Germany).
[004] All serotypes of botulinum toxin are produced by C. botulinum in
their native
form as stable and non-covalent macromolecular protein complexes. These
protein
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complexes consist of the active 150 kDa neurotoxin and nontoxic neurotoxin-
associated proteins (NAPs). All 150 kDa neurotoxin serotypes are synthesized
as
single chain proteins (about 150 kDa) that are proteolytically cleaved into di-
chain
proteins consisting of a 50 kDa light chain and a 100 kDa heavy chain,
connected by
a disulfide bond. The botulinum neurotoxin-NAP complexes isolated from C.
botulinum
type A cultures vary in molecular weight (300-900 kDa) depending on the
composition
of NAPs, which in turn depends on the manufacturing process.
[005] The repetitive contraction and activity of the muscles involved in
facial
expression is a major factor in the formation of lines and wrinkles,
especially in the
forehead and around the eye. Botulinum toxin blocks the release of
acetylcholine into
the synaptic cleft, thus preventing the cholinergic neuromuscular innervation
of striated
and smooth muscles required for muscle contraction. It therefore can be used
to treat
all wrinkles that are the result of normal facial movement (dynamic wrinkles).
For this
purpose, botulinum toxin is administered by targeted injections in the
respective
muscles to achieve the desired cosmetic effect, e.g. to smoothen out facial
wrinkles.
[006] However, along with its intended effects, botulinum toxin may also
cause
some unwanted effects. For example, as a result of volume and/or dose of
injection,
injection technique or needle size, the neurotoxin may spread from the
original injection
site to nearby muscle(s) leading to an undesirable paralyzing effect.
Furthermore,
botulinum toxin has the potential to induce an immune response, which can lead
to the
development of neutralizing antibodies that may result in secondary non-
responsiveness. While immunogenicity may not be a major issue in aesthetic
indications treated with low doses, it may become a concern in subjects
receiving high
doses, frequent dosing (short treatment intervals), high number of injections,
and/or
treatment over a prolonged period. Therefore, clinical strategies to reduce or
eliminate
neutralizing antibody development are warranted and include using the lowest
effective
dose and prolonging the treatment interval to the longest acceptable interval
between
injections.
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[007] The effects of botulinum toxins are not permanent, but rather reverse
over
time due to sprouting of nerve terminals and formation of new synaptic
contacts. For
aesthetic treatments, clinical weakening of the cosmetic effects is typically
observed
within 3 to 4 months. Therefore, to maintain the desired skin appearance,
botulinum
toxin needs to be reinjected every 3 to 4 months. The duration of action, and
thus the
time between two treatments, is an important factor of patient satisfaction
with longer
treatment intervals being generally desirable. Furthermore, longer treatment
intervals
reduce the immunogenic risk of neutralizing antibody formation. For these
reasons,
efforts have been made in the development of modified treatment regimens that
may
lead to prolonged treatment intervals.
[008] For example, in a previous dose ranging study of botulinum toxin type
A with
respect to the treatment of glabellar rhytids in females, the efficacy,
safety, and
duration of effect of four doses of botulinum toxin type A (10 U, 20 U, 30 U
and 40 U)
were compared. A dose-dependent increase in duration of effect, as well as in
the
response rate at maximum frown with no increase in adverse events was
observed.
Statistically significant differences were seen between the 10 U and 40 U
dose.
However, there were no statistically significant differences between the 20 U,
30 U and
40 U dose groups. The study authors concluded that 20 U is an effective dose
for the
treatment of glabellar rhytids and that 3 to 4 months is an appropriate inter-
treatment
interval (Carruthers et al., Dose-Ranging Study of Botulinum Toxin Type A in
the
Treatment of Glabellar Rhytids in Females, Dermatol. Surg. 2005, 31:414-422).
[009] In a similar study in men, doses of 20 U, 40 U, 60 U and 80 U BoNT/A
were
administered in the treatment of glabellar rhytids. Overall, there was a dose-
dependent
increase in both the response rate at maximum frown and the duration of
effect. The
40 U, 60 U, and 80 U doses were consistently more effective than the 20 U dose
in
regard to both the extent and duration of effect (Carruthers A. and
Carruthers, J.,
Prospective, Double-Blind, Randomized, Parallel-Group, Dose-Ranging Study of
Botulinum Toxin Type A in Men with Glabellar Rhytids, Dermatol. Surg. 2005,
31:1297-
1303).
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[0010] A Phase ll dose-ranging study limited to a single indication (glabellar
frown
lines) was conducted by Merz in 2006 to 2007 (study MRZ 60201 ¨ 0527 titled:
'A
prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial
to
determine the optimal dose of NT 201, free of complexing proteins, in the
treatment of
glabellar frown lines.'). In addition to placebo, the doses tested were 10 U,
20 U, and
30 U of NT 201 (Xeomine). In this study a dose-dependent increase of responder
rate
and duration of effect was observed. Despite this, a dose of 20 U was chosen
for the
two following pivotal GEL studies (0724 and 0741) (see, e.g., Therapeutics
Goods
Administration (TGA), AusPAR Attachment 2, Submission PM-2012-04159-1-1,
Extract from the Clinical Evaluation Report for botulinum toxin type A ¨
Xeomin ¨ Merz
Australia, 2014).
[0011] In a recent open-label trial of 30 subjects with moderate to
severe glabellar
lines at maximum frown, 120 U abobotulinumtoxinA were injected in 5 equal
aliquots
into each of 5 injection sites. It was found that 120 U abobotulinumtoxinA
were
significantly effective in reducing glabellar lines for a longer duration than
the dose of
50 U used in FDA Phase III randomized, placebo-controlled studies (Joseph et
al.,
Does Increasing the Dose of abobotulinumtoxina Impact the Duration of
Effectiveness
of the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Glabellar Lines?, J. Drugs Dermatol.
2016,
15(12):1544-1549).
[0012] Furthermore, the efficacy and safety of daxibotulinumtoxinA ("DAXI";
Revance Therapeutics, Inc., Newark, CA, USA), a novel botulinum toxin type A
formulation, have been evaluated in recent studies relating to the treatment
of glabellar
frown lines (GFL). The DAXI formulation consists of highly purified
daxibotulinumtoxinA
(RTT150, a 150-kDa botulinum toxin type A) together with a proprietary
stabilizing
peptide of 35 amino acids (RTP004), which binds to the neurotoxin with high
avidity,
and other excipients including polysorbate-20 (a surfactant), buffers, and a
sugar.
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[0013] In a Phase 2 study, subjects with moderate or severe glabellar lines at
maximum frown were randomly assigned to 20 U, 40 U, or 60 U
daxibotulinumtoxinA,
20 U onabotulinumtoxinA, or placebo. The injection volume per injection point
was 0.1
ml. The 40 U and 60 U doses demonstrated a longer duration of effect as
compared
to 20 U daxibotulinumtoxinA and 20 U onabotulinumtoxinA. The 60 U
daxibotulinumtoxinA dose was not further pursued due to increased adverse
effects,
especially eyelid ptosis, resulting in an unfavorable risk benefit assessment
(Carruthers et al., Injectable DaxibotulinumtoxinA for the Treatment of
Glabellar Lines:
A Phase 2, Randomized, Dose-Ranging, Double-Blind, Multicenter Comparison With
OnabotulinumtoxinA and Placebo, Dermatol. Surg. 2017, 43(11):1321-1331).
[0014] Further, in two pivotal Phase III studies with 40 U
daxibotulinumtoxinA, a
prolonged duration of effect was demonstrated. Composite investigator and
subject
ratings of maximum frown after daxibotulinumtoxinA treatment showed that
glabellar
line severity of none or mild was maintained for a median of 24.0 weeks
(SAKURA 1)
and 23.9 weeks (SAKURA 2) (Carruthers et al., DaxibotulinumtoxinA for
Injection for
the Treatment of Glabellar Lines: Results from Each of Two Multicenter,
Randomized,
Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 3 Studies (SAKURA 1 and SAKURA 2),
Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 2020, 145(1):45-58).
[0015] Although investigators have focused primarily on efficacy and duration
of
action at varying doses, the effect of different dilutions on efficacy and
duration of effect
have been investigated in a few experimental studies, but with controversial
results.
Carruthers et al. found that dilution had no significant effect on efficacy or
duration of
effect. However, an increase in the incidence of adverse effects was observed
with
higher dilutions (Carruthers et al., Dilution Volume of Botulinum Toxin Type A
for the
Treatment of Glabellar Rhytides: Does It Matter? Dermatol. Surg. 2007, 33:S97-
S104).
[0016] Further, Hsu et al. used different dilutions and found that
larger volumes
resulted in a greater diffusion and a larger affected area. Thus, to treat
larger, confluent
areas, such as the forehead, a larger volume can be used to achieve more
spread.
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This also means fewer injections, which is important in the pain-averse
patients.
However, Hsu et al. noted that a greater volume might possibly be accompanied
by a
decrease in duration and magnitude as well as undesirable spread into
neighboring
muscles (Hsu et al., Effect of Volume and Concentration on the Diffusion of
Botulinum
Exotoxin A, Arch. Dermatol. 2004, 140(11):1351-1354).
[0017] A longer duration of treatment effect is generally desirable since it
offers the
possibility to lessen the frequency of retreatnnent, thereby enhancing patient
satisfaction, a key measure of success for aesthetic treatments. Furthermore,
this also
reduces the risk of neutralizing antibody formation. Against this background,
there
exists an increasing demand for aesthetic botulinum toxin treatments of the
face
providing longer lasting results, i.e. a longer period of amelioration of
facial wrinkles,
while preserving the safety of current treatments.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0018] It is an object of the invention to improve the botulinum
toxin treatment of
facial wrinkles by providing a longer duration of effect while preserving the
safety level
of current treatments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] It has been found that the administration of high doses of
botulinum toxin
using small injection volumes advantageously provides a prolonged duration of
effect,
i.e. a longer period of amelioration of facial wrinkles, while maintaining a
favourable
safety profile. This beneficially allows for the current frequency of
administration to be
shortened, thereby enhancing patient satisfaction.
[0020] Thus, in one aspect, the present invention relates to the use of
botulinum
toxin for the treatment of facial wrinkles, wherein botulinum toxin is
injected in a facial
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area of a subject at a total dose of 50 U to 200 U and a total volume of 0.05
ml to 0.35
ml to treat said facial wrinkles.
[0021] A preferred total dose is 70 U to 125 U and a preferred total volume is
0.15
ml to 0.30 ml. The total dose is usually injected at equal amounts in a number
of
injection points, for example 3 to 6 injection points. The use of such small
total volumes
(and volumes per injection point) of a highly concentrated solution of
botulinum toxin
(i.e. high doses at small volumes) are particularly suitable for the treatment
of small
muscles, such as horizontal forehead lines (HFL), glabellar frown lines (GEL),
and
periorbital lines (e.g. crow's feet).
[0022] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for the
treatment
of facial wrinkles, the method comprising injecting botulinum toxin in a
facial area of a
subject at a total dose of 50 U to 200 U, preferably 70 U to 125 U, and a
total volume
of 0.05 ml to 0.35 ml, preferably 0.15 ml to 0.30 ml, to treat said facial
wrinkles.
[0023] Preferred embodiments of the use and method of the present invention
are
set forth in the appended claims.
[0024] The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to
the
following detailed description of the invention and the example included
therein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The present invention is based on the finding that the combined use of
high
doses and low injection volumes of botulinum toxin significantly prolongs the
duration
of treatment effect, i.e. the amelioration of facial wrinkles, while
maintaining a
favourable safety profile. As a result, longer treatment intervals can be used
which in
turn means less injection procedures and less injection-related discomfort.
Thus, the
high dose, low volume application of botulinum toxin according to the present
invention
beneficially achieves a very high degree of efficacy which allows for longer
treatment
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intervals, thus enhancing patient satisfaction. Furthermore, the longer
treatment
intervals decrease the immunogenic risk of neutralizing antibody formation
which can
lead to secondary treatment failure.
[0026] Since the pharmacodynamics of botulinum toxin, e.g. botulinum toxin
type A,
are not dose-proportional, an increase in dose is not accompanied by a
proportional
increase in effect. This makes it difficult to predict the effect size
following an increase
in dose. Extrapolation from already tested doses is not possible. Furthermore,
possible
side effects, for example side effects caused by toxin spread to adjacent
unintended
muscles depending on dose and/or volume, can neither be predicted nor
foreseen.
Thus, whether a given dose range results in a significant prolongation of
effect without
compromising the safety of the subjects, can only be verified by experimental
investigation. The present inventors have carried out respective experimental
efforts
and found that the combination of high doses and low injection volumes results
in
sustained duration of effect, a favorable field of effect with no side
effects, and
completed the present invention.
[0027] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to the use
of botulinum toxin for
the treatment of facial wrinkles, wherein botulinum toxin is injected in a
facial area of a
subject at a total dose of 50 U to 200 U and a total volume of 0.05 ml to 0.35
ml to treat
said facial wrinkles.
[0028] Preferably, the total dose of injected botulinum toxin is 50 U to 175 U
or 60 U
to 150 U or 70 U to 125 U or 75 U to 100 U. The total dose of injected
botulinum toxin
can preferably also be in a range of 65 U to 95 U or 70 U to 80 U or 72 U to
78 U. The
total dose of injected botulinum toxin can also be in the range of 85 U to 125
U or 90
U to 110 U or 95 U to 105 U. Exemplary doses include 50 U, 55 U, 60 U, 65 U,
70 U,
75 U, 80 U, 85 U, 90 U, 95 U, 100 U, 105 U, 110 U, 115 U, 120 U, 125 U, 130 U,
135
U, 140 U, 145 U, 150 U, 155 U, 160 U, 165 U, 170 U, and 175 U. Particularly
preferred
is a dose range of 70 U to 125 U, in particular if the facial wrinkles to be
treated are
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selected from horizontal forehead lines (HFL), glabellar frown lines (GEL),
and
periorbital lines (e.g. crow's feet).
[0029] As used herein, the dose is expressed in biological units because the
used
botulinum toxin may contain, for example, variable percentages of inactive
toxin that
contribute to the overall protein load without contributing to efficacy.
Within the context
of the present invention, the biological potency of botulinum toxin is
determined using
the mouse bioassay (MBA). The MBA determines the mean lethal dose (LD50) of
toxin/neurotoxin after intraperitoneal injection in mice, i.e. the dose of
toxin/neurotoxin
capable of killing 50% of a group of mice. On this basis, 1 unit (U) of
toxin/neurotoxin,
as used herein, is defined as one mouse LD50 (1.0 LD50 = 1.0 U). The LD50
mouse
bioassay is the gold standard among various biological, chemical or
immunological
detection methods for botulinum toxin and is known to those skilled in the art
(see, e.g.,
Pearce, L.B.; Borodic, G.E.; First, E.R.; MacCallum, R.D. Measurement of
botulinum
toxin activity: Evaluation of the lethality assay. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.
1994, 128,
69-77).
[0030] Another useful method for determining the biological activity of a
botulinum
neurotoxin is a cell-based assay as it is disclosed, for example, in
W02009/114748,
WO 2013/049508 or WO 2014/207109. The activity results obtained with such cell-
based assays correspond to the activity values obtained in the mouse i.p. LD50
assay.
Activity results obtained for botulinum toxin serotype A formulations like
commercially
available incobotulinumtoxin A (botulinum toxin serotype A, without complexing
proteins; Xeomine, Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH) or onabotulinumtoxin A
(botulinum
toxin serotype A, with complexing proteins; Botox , Allergan Inc.) can be
converted to
values for other toxins using conversion rates known to the person skilled in
the art.
For example, the necessary dose of abobotulinumtoxin A (botulinum toxin
serotype A,
with complexing proteins; Dysport , Ipsen Biopharm Limited) can be determined
by
multiplication of the dose of incobotulinumtoxin A or onabotulinumtoxin A with
a factor
of 2.5 to 5. The dose for rimabotulinumtoxinB (botulinumtoxin serotype B;
Myobloce,
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Solstice Neurosciences/US WorldMeds LLC) can be calculated by multiplication
of the
dose of incobotulinumtoxin A or onabotulinumtoxin A with a factor of 20 to 40.
[0031] Preferred total volumes of injected botulinum toxin include
0.10 ml to 0.35 ml
or 0.10 ml to 0.30 ml or 0.15 ml to 0.35 ml or 0.15 ml to 0.30 ml. Exemplary
total
volumes include 0.10 ml, 0.12 ml, 0.14 ml, 0.16 ml, 0.18 ml, 0.20 ml, 0.22 ml,
0.24 ml,
0.26 ml, 0.28 ml, 0.30 ml, 0.32 ml, and 0.35 ml. Further exemplary total
volumes
include 0.23 ml, 0.25 ml, and 0.27 ml. Particulary preferred is a total volume
range of
0.15 ml to 0.35 ml or 0.20 ml to 0.30 ml, in particular if the facial wrinkles
to be treated
are selected from horizontal forehead lines (HFL), glabellar frown lines
(GFL), and
periorbital lines (e.g. crow's feet).
[0032] Within the context of the present invention, the terms "total dose" and
"total
volume" refers to the total dose and total volume of botulinum toxin,
respectively,
generally administered in a treatment session (or "injection session") and
typically
administered by multiple injections at different injection points, in a single
area A
treatment session typically lasts less than one hour, e.g. around 30 minutes.
The single
area is the facial area of the wrinkles to be treated, e.g. glabellar frown
lines. This is,
the total dose and total volume generally refer to the dose and volume
administered
for the treatment of a single type of target wrinkle(s). For example, the
treatment of
glabellar frown lines, horizontal forehead lines and crow's feet are three
different
treatment areas and three different target wrinkles.
[0033] The concentration of the injected botulinum toxin may, for example, be
in a
range of from 150 U/ml to 2000 U/ml, preferably from 200 U/ml to 1500 U/ml 01
250
U/ml to 1000 U/ml or 300 U/ml to 800 U/ml or 350 U/ml to 600 U/ml. The
concentration
of the injected botulinum toxin may also be in the range of from 250 U/ml to
500 U/m I
or 250 U/ml to 350 U/ml or 350 U/ml to 450 U/ml. These high concentrations of
botulinum toxin can for example be obtained by reconstituting lyophilized
botulinum
toxin A with a suitable volume of diluent, usually sterile saline and
particularly sterile
unpreserved saline.
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[0034] Depending on the facial wrinkles to be treated and the corresponding
target
muscles as well as the individual needs of the patient and the preferences of
the
treating physician, the botulinum toxin may be injected at 2 to 10 injection
points, but
is normally injected at 3 to 8 (i.e. at 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) injection points.
Preferably, the
number of injection points is 4 to 6, more preferably 5. For the forehead
(e.g., horizontal
forehead lines (HFL), a suitable number of injection points is 4 to 6, in
particular 5. For
glabellar frown lines (GFL), the number of injection points may be 4 to 6,
preferably 5.
For periorbital lines, e.g. crow's feet, 3 to 4 injection points per side are
preferably
injected. Typically, equal aliquots of botulinum toxin are injected at each
injection point.
This is, the same volume and dose is normally injected per injection point.
[0035] The dose applied per injection point is usually 6 U to 50 U, in
particular 8 U
to 30 U or 10 U to 25 U. Exemplary doses per injection point include 6 U, 8,
U, 10 U,
12 U, 14 U, 16 U, 18 U, 20 U, 22 U, 24 U, 26 U, 28 U, 30 U, 32 U, 34 U, 36 U,
38 U,
40 U, 42 U, 44 U, 46 U, 48 U, and 50 U. Other exemplary doses per injection
point
include 13 U, 15 U, and 17 U. Preferably, the dose per injection point ranges
from 8 U
to 30 U, more preferably from 10 U to 25 U and most preferably from 14 U to 22
U or
from 14 U to 16 U, in particular if the facial wrinkles to be treated are
selected from
horizontal forehead lines (HFL), glabellar frown lines (GFL), and periorbital
lines (e.g.
crow's feet).
[0036] The volume injected per injection site may range from 0.01 ml to 0.15
ml, but
is normally in the range of 0.02 ml to 0.14 ml. Preferably, the volume per
injection site
is 0.03 ml to 0.10 ml or 0.04 ml to 0.08 ml or 0.04 ml to 0.06 ml at each site
of injection.
Exemplary volumes per injection point include 0.02 ml, 0.03 ml, 0.04 ml, 0.05
ml, 0.06
ml, 0.07 ml, 0.08 ml, 0.09 ml, 0.10 ml, 0.11 ml, 0.12 ml, 0.13 ml and 0.14 ml.
[0037] In accordance with the present invention, it was found that a
small injection
volume as described above (e.g., 0.05 mL per injection point and 0.25 mL in
total) and
a high total dose of injected botulinum toxin (e.g., 70 U to 125 U), provides
the desired
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biological effect of a prolonged duration of wrinkle amelioration. No signs or
symptoms
of mask-like or frozen face were observed, adding to the high patient
satisfaction with
the aesthetic outcome. Furthermore, even though the volume injected in
accordance
with the present invention is small, it can be technically handled and is
particularly
suitable when targeting small muscles in the face.
[0038] In accordance to the present invention, the botulinum neurotoxin may be
administered in consecutive treatment cycles. It is understood that a
treatment cycle is
the time interval between two administrations of the botulinum neurotoxin,
i.e. a
treatment cycle consists of one administration of the botulinum neurotoxin and
a follow-
up period until the next botulinum neurotoxin injection is administered. The
said
administration of botulinum toxin occurs in a treatment session (or "injection
session").
The time interval between two consecutive administrations of the botulinum
neurotoxin
can vary between about 5 and 10 months, in particular between 6 and 9 months.
This
prolonged treatment interval is enabled by the longer duration of effect
achieved by the
present invention. For example, for a dose of about 50 U (e.g. 50 U to 59 U),
the
treatment interval can be 150 days to 210 days (e.g., 170 to 200 days). For a
dose of
about 75 U (e.g., 60 U to 89 U), the treatment interval can be 180 days to 240
days
(e.g. 200 days to 230 days). For a dose of about 100 U (e.g., 90 U to 110 U),
the
treatment interval can be 210 days to 300 days (e.g., 230 days to 270 days).
Further,
for a dose (i.e. total dose administered per treatment session) of about 50 U
(e.g., 50
U to 59 U), the treatment interval can be from 150 days to 220 days or from
150 days
to 210 days (e.g., from 170 days to 220 days or from 170 days to 210 days or
from 180
days to 190 days ), preferably from 180 days to 200 days. For a dose of about
75 U
(e.g., 60 U to 89 U), the treatment interval can be from 180 days to 240 days
(e.g.,
from 180 days to 220 days or from 200 days to 230 days or from 190 days to 220
days), preferably from 200 days to 220 days. For a dose of about 100 U (e.g.,
90 U to
110 U), the treatment interval can be from 180 days to 300 days or from 190
days to
260 days or from 210 days to 270 days (e.g., from 200 days to 240 days or from
210
days to 230 days), preferably from 220 days to 240 days.
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[0039] Moreover, despite the reduced injection volume, the field of
effect (i.e. the
area showing an effect after toxin injection and in which the muscle will be
affected)
was found to be large enough to achieve a high responder rate, for example a
responder rate of 100% for glabellar frown lines (GEL) (responder: 1-point
improvement as assessed by the investigator at maximum frown at day 30). In
addition,
the observed dose-dependent prolongation of effect was not associated with an
increase in the number of unwanted side effects. Without being bound by
theory, it is
believed that the small injection volumes prevented the toxin from migrating
to
unintended muscles, thereby avoiding unwanted side effects.
[0040] In accordance with the present invention, the botulinum toxin
is used in the
treatment of facial wrinkles. The treatment of wrinkles is a purely aesthetic
application.
In other words, within the present invention, botulinum toxin is used for
cosmetic
purposes.
[0041] The term "wrinkles", as used herein, is to be broadly construed to not
only
include wrinkles, but also lines, rhytids, creases, furrows, and folds. The
words "lines",
"wrinkles", "rhytids", "creases", and "folds" share similar definition and are
therefore
often used interchangeably. Within the present invention, "lines" are
generally
interchangeable with "wrinkles" but may preferably refer to a cutaneous
depression
that is less deep than a "wrinkle". A "fold" is interchangeable with wrinkles
and lines
and is preferably a linear depression. A "crease" is interchangeable with
wrinkles, lines
and folds. It preferably refers to a mild form of wrinkles and may describe
the specific
wrinkle in certain locations. A "rhytid", as used herein, has essentially the
same
meaning of wrinkle. However, a "rhytid" preferably refers to a skin structure
that is
formed by irregular aggregation of lines. A "furrow" is a deep fold or deep
line in the
skin.
[0042] The facial wrinkles treated in accordance with the present invention
are not
particularly limited and may include horizontal forehead lines, glabellar
frown lines,
periorbital lines, Crow's feet, bunny lines (i.e. downward radiating lines on
the sides of
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nose), nasolabial folds, upper radial lip lines, lower radial lip lines,
corner of the mouth
lines, marionette lines, perioral lip lines, oral commissures, labiomental
crease and
cobblestone chin, preferably horizontal forehead lines, glabellar frown lines
and
periorbital lines (e.g. Crow's feet). The wrinkles that are preferably treated
in
accordance with the present invention are selected from horizontal forehead
lines
(HFL), glabellar frown lines (GEL) and periorbital lines (e.g. crow's feet),
and are most
preferably glabellar frown lines (GFL).
[0043] In order to treat the above-mentioned facial wrinkles,
botulinum toxin is
usually administered by intramuscular injection to the following muscles:
frontalis
muscle (horizontal forehead lines), procerus and corrugator muscles (glabellar
frown
lines), lateral orbicularis oculi muscle (Crow's feet/periorbital lines),
nasalis, procerus
for transverse nasal muscles (bunny lines), levator labii superioris alaeque
nasi
muscles (nasolabial folds), orbicularis oris muscles (upper radial lip lines),
orbicularis
oris muscles (lower radial lip lines), depressor anguli oris muscles (corner
of the mouth
lines), depressor anguli oris muscles (marionette lines), orbicularis oris,
depressor
anguli oris, and mentalis muscles (perioral lip lines), depressor anguli oris
muscles
(oral commissures), depressor anguli oris muscles (labiomental crease), and
mentalis
muscles (cobblestone chin).
[0044] The subject to be treated is not particularly limited other than by
having facial
wrinkles to be treated. For example, the subject may be a subject with either
moderate
and severe or (only) severe glabellar frown lines, wherein the severity of the
glabellar
frown lines is assessed by investigator using the Facial Wrinkle Scale (FWS)
at
maximum frown. Further, the subject may be (i) a female subject, (ii) a male
or female
subject of 20 to 80, 30 to 70, or 40 to 60, years of age, (iii) a female
subject with either
moderate and severe or only severe glabellar frown lines, wherein the severity
of the
glabellar frown lines is assessed by investigator using the Facial Wrinkle
Scale (FWS)
at maximum frown.
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[0045] Moreover, since the use of botulinum toxin according to the present
invention
may also be used in a prophylactic manner, e.g. for the treatment of subjects
(male or
female), who have none, or none or mild, glabellar frown lines, wherein the
severity of
the glabellar frown lines is assessed by investigator using the Facial Wrinkle
Scale
(FWS) at maximum frown, another subject group of interest are subjects of 20
to 40 or
to 35 years of age.
[0046] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
botulinum toxin is used in the treatment of horizontal forehead lines (HFL),
glabellar
frown lines (GFL) or periorbital lines (e.g. crow's feet), preferably in the
treatment of
glabellar frown lines (GFL), wherein the botulinum toxin is injected (i) at a
total dose of
60 U to 130 U and in a total volume of 0.15 ml to 0.35 ml or (ii) at a total
dose of 65 U
to 110 U and in a total volume of 0.15 ml to 0.30 ml or (iii) at a total dose
of 65 U to 90
U and in a total volume of 0.15 ml to 0.30 ml or (iv) at a total dose of 65 U
to 90 U and
in a total volume of 0.10 ml to 0.25 ml or (v) at a total dose of 80 U to 120
U and in a
total volume of 0.15 ml to 0.35 ml or (vi) at a total dose of 80 U to 120 U
and in a total
volume of 0.15 ml to 0.30 ml or (vii) at a total dose of 72 U to 78 U (e.g. 75
U) in a total
volume of 0.25 ml or (vii) at a total dose of 90 U to 110 U (e.g. 100 U) and
in a total
volume of 0.25 ml, and wherein the botulinum toxin is preferably injected at
3, 4, 5 or
6, more preferably 4 or 5, intramuscular injection points. Moreover, in the
preferred
embodiment described in this paragraph, the botulinum toxin is preferably of
serotype
A and is especially the (pure) neurotoxic component of serotype A (e.g.,
Xeomin9.
Furthermore, the subjects to be treated are as defined herein above.
[0047] In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present
invention,
the botulinum toxin is used in the treatment of moderate or severe glabellar
frown lines
(GFL) or in the treatment of severe glabellar frown lines (GFL), based on
investigator
ratings using the Facial Wrinkle Scale (FWS) at maximum frown, wherein the
botulinum
toxin is injected (i) at a total dose of 60 U to 130 U and in a total volume
of 0.15 ml to
0.35 ml or (ii) at a total dose of 65 U to 110 U and in a total volume of 0.15
ml to 0.30
ml or (iii) at a total dose of 65 U to 90 U and in a total volume of 0.15 ml
to 0.30 ml or
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(iv) at a total dose of 65 U to 90 U and in a total volume of 0.10 ml to 0.25
ml or (v) at
a total dose of 80 U to 120 U and in a total volume of 0.15 ml 10 0.35 ml or
(vi) at a total
dose of 80 U to 120 U and in a total volume of 0_15 ml to 0.30 ml or (vii) at
a total dose
of 72 U to 78 U (e.g. 75 U) in a total volume of 0.25 ml or (vii) at a total
dose of 90 U
to 110 U (e.g. 100 U) and in a total volume of 0.25 ml, and wherein the
botulinum toxin
is preferably injected at 3, 4, 5 or 6, more preferably 4 or 5, intramuscular
injection
points. Moreover, in the preferred embodiment described in this paragraph, the
botulinum toxin is preferably of serotype A and is especially the (pure)
neurotoxic
component of serotype A (e.g., Xeomine). Furthermore, the subjects to be
treated are
as defined herein above.
[0048] For the treatment of glabellar frown lines, the botulinum
toxin is usually
injected at 4 to 6, preferably 5, intramuscular injection points, preferably
into the
procerus and corrugator muscles, in particular at two sites in each corrugator
muscle
and one site in the procerus muscle, for a total of 0.20 to 0.30 ml.
Specifically, one
injection may be given in the procerus muscle at the crossing of two lines
that connect
the medial part of the eyebrow and the contralateral caruncle. One injection
on each
side may be given in the medial (inner) part of the corrugator muscle at least
1 cm
above the bony orbital rim on an imaginary line drawn vertically from the
caruncle. One
injection on each side may be given laterally from the above-mentioned site in
the
middle part of the corrugator muscle at least 1 cm above the bony orbital rim
on an
imaginary line drawn vertically from the midpupillary line.
[0049] In accordance with the present invention, the botulinum neurotoxin may
also
be administered together with a dermal filler, either simultaneously or
consecutively. In
particular, in the treatment of perioral lip lines (orbicularis oris,
depressor anguli oris,
and mentalis muscles), botulinum toxin may be administered in conjunction with
dermal fillers. The dermal filler is preferably a hyaluronic acid-based dermal
filler, more
preferably a crosslinked hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler.
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[0050] The botulinum toxin used within the present invention may be a
botulinum
toxin complex or the neurotoxic component of a botulinum neurotoxin complex.
Said
neurotoxic component is devoid of any other protein component of the
Clostridium
botulinum neurotoxin complex. Preferably, as mentioned above, the botulinum
toxin
(i.e. the toxin complex or the pure neurotoxic component) is of serotype A.
[0051] More specifically, the term "botulinum toxin", as used
herein, includes the 150
kDa neurotoxin itself, i.e. the pure neurotoxin devoid of any NAPs (also
referred to
herein as "neurotoxic component" or "pure neurotoxic component"), and
complexes of
the 150 kDa neurotoxin and neurotoxin-associated complexing proteins (NAPs)
(referred to herein as "complex" or "toxin complex"). The 150 kDa neurotoxin
is the
active protein that ultimately inhibits acetylcholine release. NAPs are not
pharmacologically active on nerve terminals and typically consist of several
hemagglutinins (HA) and a single non-toxic non-hemagglutinin (NTNH).
[0052] The full-length neurotoxin type A has a theoretical molecular weight of
150.3
kDa, while the neurotoxins of other serotypes varies from 144.7 kDa (botulinum
toxin
type E) to 152.9 kDa (botulinum toxin type B) (see Weisemann et al., Toxins
2015,
7(12), 5035-5054). Despite these molecular weight variations, the term "150
kDa
neurotoxin", as used herein, is intended to refer to the active neurotoxin
(neurotoxic
component) of all serotypes, unless otherwise stated. The pure 150 kDa
neurotoxin of
serotype A without any complexing proteins (NAPs) is contained in the
commercial
product incobotulinumtoxin A (Xeomin/Bocouturee, Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH,
Frankfurt Germany).
[0053] The term "toxin complex", as used herein, is preferably a high-
molecular
complex of the neurotoxic component and a set of NAPs selected from the 900
kDa,
500 kDa, and/or 300 kDa C. botulinum type A toxin complexes. The 900 kDa
complex
is included in onabotulinumtoxin A (Botoxe/Vistabele, Allergan, Inc., Irvine,
CA, USA).
Another example of a toxin complex is abobotulinumtoxin A (Dysporte,
Azzaluree,
Ipsen, Paris, France).
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[0054] In accordance with the present invention, the botulinum toxin
(i.e. the
neurotoxic component or toxin complex) may be of serotype A, B, Cl D, E, F or
G_
Due to its longer lasting effects compared to the other serotypes, botulinum
toxin type
A is preferably used herein. Furthermore, within the framework of the present
invention, the term "botulinum toxin" may refer to a natural neurotoxin
obtainable from
the bacteria Clostridium botulinum or to a botulinum toxin obtainable from
alternative
sources, including from recombinant technologies or from genetic or chemical
modification.
[0055] Generally, the botulinum toxin used within the present
invention is present in
the form of a liquid composition. For preparing a composition comprising a
botulinum
toxin the neurotoxin can be formulated by various techniques dependent on the
desired
application purposes which are known in the art. The botulinum toxin used
within the
present invention is preferably an aqueous solution, more preferably a saline
solution
or a physiological saline solution, and most preferably a phosphate buffered
physiological saline solution. The aqueous solution may additionally comprise
one or
more pharmaceutically acceptable substances. Suitable pharmaceutically
acceptable
substances comprise those well known in the art, see, e.g., Remington's
Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pennsylvania.
[0056] In particular, the aqueous botulinum toxin solution or
composition may
include other carriers or non-toxic, non-therapeutic, non-immunogenic
stabilizers and
the like. Thus, the aqueous botulinum toxin composition may contain glycerol,
protein
stabilizers (HSA) or non-protein stabilizers such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone
(PVP),
hyaluronic acid or free amino acids, e.g. like methionine or histidine. In an
aspect, it
can be free of amino acids. In an aspect it may be free of stabilizing
peptides (e.g.,
consisting of 5 to 50 amino acids, 10 to 40 amino acids or 15 to 30 amino
acids). In an
aspect, suitable non-proteinaceous stabilizers are disclosed in WO 2005/007185
or
WO 2006/020208. The botulinum toxin composition can also include non-ionic or
ionic
surfactant, e.g. like polysorbate or poloxamer. A suitable formulation for HSA-
stabilized
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formulation comprising a botulinum toxin according to the present invention is
for
example disclosed in US 8,398,998 B2.
[0057] Preferably, the botulinum toxin used within the present
invention is present in
the form of an aqueous solution comprising sodium chloride (NaCI), more
preferably
in the form of a physiological saline solution (i.e. a solution including
sodium chloride
in physiological concentration, e.g., about 9 g/I NaCI), wherein the aqueous
botulinum
toxin solution comprises (i) no other excipient (except NaCI), (ii) human
serum albumin
(HSA) and a sugar, in particular a monosaccharide or a disaccharide, (iii)
human serum
albumin (HSA) and lactose, (iv) human serum albumin (HSA) and sucrose, (v) a
monosaccharide and/or a disaccharide (e.g. lactose and/or sucrose), (vi) no
buffer,
(vii) no single amino acids, (viii) no human serum albumin (HSA), sodium
chloride and
lactose or no HSA, sodium chloride and sucrose, or (ix) no HSA and sodium
chloride,
or any combination of (i) to (ix).
[0058] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for the
treatment
of facial wrinkles, the method comprising injecting botulinum toxin in a
facial area of a
subject at a total dose of 50 U to 200 U and a total volume of 0.05 ml to 0.35
ml to treat
said facial wrinkles.
[0059] This method of treatment is used for purely aesthetic purposes, i.e.
the
treatment of facial wrinkles, and is thus a cosmetic method. The botulinum
toxin is
intramuscularly injected using, e.g., a 30 G, 32 G or 33 G needle and, e.g. a
0.3 mL,
0.5 mL or 1 mL syringe, depending on the volume needed.
[0060] The prolonged duration of effect allows for less frequent
administration of
botulinum toxin. For example, botulinum neurotoxin may be repeatedly
administered
at an interval between a first administration and a second administration, or
between
a second or further administration and another administration following said
second or
further administration (i.e. between consecutive administrations of the
botulinum toxin)
of between about 5 and 10 months, especially between about 6 and 9 months. For
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example, for a total dose of about 50 U (e.g., 50 U to 59 U), the treatment
interval may
be 150 days to 200 days (e.g., 170 to 190 days). For a total dose of about 75
U (e.g.,
60 U to 89 U), the treatment interval may be 180 days to 240 days (e.g., 200
days to
230 days). For a dose of about 100 U (e.g., 90 U to 110 U), the treatment
interval may
be 210 days to 270 days (e.g., 230 days to 260 days). Further, for a total
dose of about
50 U (e.g., 50 U to 59 U), the treatment interval may be from 150 days to 220
days or
from 150 days to 210 days (e.g., from 170 days to 220 days or from 170 days to
210
days or from 180 days to 190 days), preferably from 180 days to 200 days. For
a total
dose of about 75 U (e.g., 60 U to 89 U), the treatment interval may be from
180 days
to 240 days (e.g., from 180 days to 220 days or from 200 days to 230 days or
from 190
days to 220 days), preferably from 200 days to 220 days. For a dose of about
100 U
(e.g., 90 U to 110 U), the treatment interval may be from 180 days to 300 days
or from
190 days to 260 days or from 210 days to 270 days (e.g., from 200 days to 240
days
or from 210 days to 230 days), preferably from 220 days to 240 days).
[0061] The second aspect of the present invention relating to a cosmetic
method of
treating facial wrinkles, is closely related to the first aspect of the
invention described
herein above. Thus, all definitions and explanations provided herein with
respect to the
first aspect relating the cosmetic use of botulinum toxin equally apply to the
second
aspect directed to the cosmetic method of treatment.
EXAMPLES
EXAMPLE 1
Interim Analysis
[0062] This example relates to an interim analysis of a prospective,
randomized,
double-blind, multicentre study. The aim of the study is to investigate the
safety and
duration of effect of different NT 201 dose groups following the treatment of
glabellar
frown lines (GFL).
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[0063] A total of 151 randomized subjects (12.6% male, 87.4% female) of 22 to
76
years with a mean age of 48.9 years were enrolled in the prospective,
randomized,
double-blind, multicentre study. As per Investigator assessment, 15.3% of the
subjects
had Grade 2 (Moderate) GFL and 84.7% of the subjects had Grade 3 (Severe) GFL
at
baseline.
[0064] The severity grade of GFL was assessed by the investigator at maximum
frown using the 4-point investigator's Facial Wrinkle Scale (investigator's
FWS)
following treatment compared to the baseline assessment. A photo guide
comprising
sample photos of each of the four grades was provided to investigators to
support their
rating by FWS together with descriptors for the four severity grades (see
Table 1).
Table 1. Investigator's Facial Wrinkle Scale (Investigator FWS)
Grade Severity of GFL at
Descriptor
maximum frown
0 None No muscle action at all
1 Mild Some even slight muscle action possible
2 Moderate Moderately strong muscle action
possible
3 Severe Strong muscle action possible which may
cause
local pallor
[0065] GFL severity was also evaluated by the subjects at maximum frown using
the
4-point subject's Facial Wrinkle Scale (subject's FWS). Likewise, a photo
guide was
provided to the subjects for self-assessment of GFL at maximum frown together
with
descriptors for the four severity grades (see Table 2)
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Table 2. Subject's Facial Wrinkle Scale (subject's FWS)
Grade Severity of GEL at
Descriptor
maximum frown
0 None No muscle action at all
1 Mild Some even slight muscle action possible
(i.e.
visible furrows)
2 Moderate Moderately strong muscle action
possible (i.e.
visible muscle bulges)
3 Severe
Strong muscle action possible which may cause
local pallor
[0066] Subjects were randomly assigned to three groups; 20 U NT 201 (N=30), 50
U NT 201 (N=60), and 75 U NT 201 (N=61). All treatments consisted of five 0.05
mL
injections, two in each corrugator muscle and one in the procerus muscle for a
total of
0.25 mL. In order to inject a total dose of 20 U, 50 U and 75 U, a 200 U vial
of NT 201
was reconstituted using varying volumes of sterile unpreserved saline (see
Table 3)
Table 3. Reconstitution table
Total Total Total
Total
Dose Dose Dose
Dose
20U 50U 75U
100U*
Dose vial 200 U 200 U 200 U
200 U
Reconstitution volume 2.5 mL 1 mL 0.67 mL
0.5 mL
Number of injection points 5 5 5
5
Total volume injected 0.25 mL 0.25 mL 0.25 mL
0.25 ml
Volume per injection point 0.05 mL 0.05 mL 0.05 mL
0.05 mL
Dose per injection point 4 U 10 U 15 U
20 U
*The 100 U group was analyzed in the final analysis (see Example 2 below).
[0067] Subjects were evaluated at eight (8) days following treatment, thirty
(30) days
after treatment and then every 30 days. As a primary outcome measure (primary
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efficacy variable), the median duration of effect (medium duration of
response; time
between treatment for an at least 1-point improvement in investigator's FWS at
maximum frown to relapse to baseline values) was estimated. Furthermore, as
secondary efficacy variables, the median duration of effect, wherein effect is
defined
by (a) a score of none (0) or mild (1) or (b) a 2-point improvement from
baseline, was
assessed by the investigator using the investigator's FWS.
[0068] In addition, the proportion (percentage) of subjects at day 180 rated
to have
a GEL severity of none (0) or mild (1) according to the investigator's FWS as
well as
the patient's FWS was assessed as a secondary outcome measure (secondary
efficacy variable). Other secondary efficacy variables were the percentage of
subjects
at day 180 with at least a 1-point improvement or the percentage of subjects
at day
180 with at least a 2-point improvement from baseline as assessed using the
investigator's FWS as well as the patient's FWS. In addition, as another
efficacy
variable, investigators and subjects evaluated the global aesthetic
improvement at
each postbaseline visit using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS),
with the
following rating score ranging from -3 to 3: very much worse (-3), much worse
(-2),
worse (-1), no change (0), improved (1), much improved (2), and very much
improved
(3)-
[0069] The results of median duration of effect are shown in Table 4.
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Table 4. Median duration of effect
NT 201
Efficacy variable
(primary / secondary endpoints)
20 U 50 U
75 U
Primary efficacy variable
median time to relapse to baseline status 177 d 185 d
210 d
Secondary efficacy variables
Median duration of effect - "none (0) or mild 112 d 121 d
129 d
(1)" assessed by investigator's
Median duration of effect - "2-point 97 d 118 d
122 d
improvement"
[0070] The results of Response rates based on FWS at day 180 are shown in
Table
5, and the patient satisfaction using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale
(GAIS)
at day 180 is shown in Table 6.
Table 5. Response rates based on FWS at day 180 (secondary efficacy variables)
Efficacy variable NT 201
(secondary endpoints)
20 U 50 U
75 U
At least 1-point improved
by investigator's FWS at maximum frown 27% 43%
53%
by subject's FWS at maximum frown 37% 37%
51%
"None (0) or mild (1)"
by investigator's FWS at maximum frown 7% 10%
16%
by subject's FWS at maximum frown 7% 10%
18%
At least 2-points improved
by investigator's FWS at maximum frown 7% 8%
10%
by subject's FWS at maximum frown 0% 8%
15%
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Table 6. Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) at day 180
Parameter NT 201
(secondary endpoints)
20 U 50 U
75 U
GAIS at least improved
by investigator 39% 49%
67%
by subject 36% 38%
53%
[0071] The above results demonstrate high responder rates across all dose
groups
and a dose dependent prolongation of effect. It could be demonstrated that in
spite of
the reduced injection volume the field of effect was large enough to achieve a
responder rate of 100 % at day 30 after injection (responder 1-point
improvement at
max. frown as assessed by the investigator) across all dose groups with a
sustained
duration of effect.
[0072] The incidence of adverse events was comparable to those as known from
pivotal Phase III studies in the indication GFL. All doses were well
tolerated, and the
safety profile is consistent with the known safety profile of the approved
dose of 20 U
NT 201. No new safety concerns were detected. Specifically, no serious TEAEs
(treatment-emergent adverse events) occurred. In particular, eyelid ptosis
(N=2 of 151)
was as low as 1.3%, and no other TEAESIs (treatment-emergent adverse events of
special interest) related to treatment occurred.
[0073] Furthermore, although within the community of physicians higher doses
are
frequently associated with frozen face and an increase in adverse events, no
signs of
frozen face were observed in the present study. Subjects as well as
investigators were
very satisfied with aesthetic outcome and the long-lasting effect. Overall,
the results
show that the use of high doses of botulinum toxin concentrated in small
injection
volumes is very effective, long-lasting, well-tolerated, and safe.
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EXAMPLE 2
Final Analysis
[0074] This example relates to the final analysis of the prospective,
randomized,
double-blind, multicentre study described in Example 1 to investigate the
safety and
duration of effect of different NT 201 dose groups following the treatment of
glabellar
frown lines (GFL). The final analysis includes, inter alia, data for a fourth
group of
patients which were treated with 100 U NT 201 and for 31 additional subjects
in the 20
U NT 201 group.
[0075] A total of 241 randomized subjects (13.7% male, 86.3% female) of 22 to
76
years with a mean age of 49.4 years were enrolled in the prospective,
randomized,
double-blind, multicentre study. As per Investigator assessment, 14.1% of the
subjects
had a severity Grade 2 (Moderate) GFL and 85.9% of the subjects had a severity
Grade 3 (Severe) GFL on the Facial Wrinkle Scale at baseline.
[0076] The severity grade of GFL was assessed by the investigator at maximum
frown using the 4-point investigator's Facial Wrinkle Scale (investigator's
FWS)
following treatment. A photo guide comprising sample photos of each of the
four grades
was provided to investigators to support their rating by FWS together with
descriptors
for the four severity grades (see Table 1).
Table 1. Investigator's Facial Wrinkle Scale (Investigator FWS)
Grade Severity of GFL at
Descriptor
maximum frown
0 None No muscle action at all
1 Mild Some even slight muscle action possible
2 Moderate Moderately strong muscle action
possible
3 Severe Strong muscle action possible which may
cause
local pallor
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[0077] GEL severity was also assessed by the subjects at maximum frown using
the
4-point subject's Facial Wrinkle Scale (subject's FWS). Likewise, a photo
guide was
provided to the subjects for self-assessment of GEL at maximum frown together
with
descriptors for the four severity grades (see Table 2)
Table 2. Subject's Facial Wrinkle Scale (subject's FWS)
Grade Severity of GFL at
Descriptor
maximum frown
0 None No muscle action at all
1 Mild Some even slight muscle action possible
(i.e.
visible furrows)
2 Moderate Moderately strong muscle action
possible (i.e.
visible muscle bulges)
3 Severe
Strong muscle action possible which may cause
local pallor
[0078] Subjects were randomly assigned to four groups; 20 U NT 201 (N=61), 50
U
NT 201 (N=60), 75 U NT 201 (N=61), and 100 U NT 201 (N=59). All treatments
consisted of five 0.05 mL injections per injection point, two injections in
each corrugator
muscle and one injection in the procerus muscle for a total of 0.25 mL. In
order to inject
a total dose of 20 U, 50 U, 75 U, and 100 U, a 200 U vial of NT 201 was
reconstituted
using varying volumes of sterile unpreserved saline (see Table 3).
Table 3. Reconstitution table
Total Total Total
Total
Dose Dose Dose
Dose
20U 50U 75U
100 U
Dose vial 200 U 200 U 200 U
200 U
Reconstitution volume 2.5 mL 1 mL 0.67 mL
0.5 mL
Number of injection points 5 5 5
5
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28
Total volume injected 0.25 mL 0.25 mL 0.25 mL
0.25 ml
Volume per injection point 0.05 mL 0.05 mL 0.05 mL
0.05 mL
Dose per injection point 4 U 10 U 15 U 20
U
[0079] Subjects were evaluated at eight (8) days following treatment, thirty
(30) days
after treatment and then every 30 days. As a primary outcome measure (primary
efficacy variable), the median duration of effect (medium duration of
response; time
between treatment for an at least 1-point improvement on investigator's FWS at
maximum frown to relapse to baseline values) was estimated. Furthermore, as
secondary efficacy variables, the median duration of effect was evaluated,
wherein
effect is defined by (a) a score of none (0) or mild (1) or (b) a 2-point
improvement from
baseline, as assessed by the investigator using the investigator's FWS.
[0080] In addition, the proportion (percentage) of subjects at day 180 with a
GFL
severity of none (0) or mild (1) at maximum frown as assessed by the
investigator's
rating on the FWS as well as the patient's rating on FWS was assessed as a
secondary
outcome measure (secondary efficacy variable). Other secondary efficacy
variables
were the percentage of subjects at day 180 with an at least 1-point
improvement from
baseline as assessed by the investigator using the investigator's FWS as well
as by
the patient using the patient's FWS. In addition, as another efficacy
variable,
investigators and subjects evaluated the global aesthetic improvement at each
postbaseline visit using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), with
the
following rating score ranging from -3 to 3: very much worse (-3), much worse
(-2),
worse (-1), no change (0), improved (1), much improved (2), and very much
improved
(3)-
[0081] The results of median duration of effect are shown in Table 4.
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Table 4. Median duration of effect
NT 201
Efficacy variable
(primary / secondary endpoints)
20 U 50 U 75 U
100 U
Primary efficacy variable
Median time to relapse to baseline 175 d 185 d 210 d
215 d
status
Secondary efficacy variables
Median duration of effect - "none (0) or 113 d 121 d 129 d
148 d
mild (1)" assessed by investigator's
Median duration of effect - "2-point 96 d 118 d 122 d
145 d
improvement"
[0082] The results of response rates based on FWS at day 180 are shown in
Table
5., and the response rates based on FWS at day 240 (only for "at least 1-point
improved" and "none (0) or mild (1)") are shown in Table 6.
Table 5. Response rates based on FWS at day 180 (secondary efficacy variables)
Efficacy variable NT 201
(secondary endpoints)
20 U 50 U 75 U
100 U
At least 1-point improved
by investigator's FWS at maximum 33% 43% 53%
53%
frown
by subject's FWS at maximum frown 38% 37% 53%
46%
"None (0) or mild (1)"
by investigator's FWS at maximum 8% 8% 16%
19%
frown
by subject's FWS at maximum frown 7% 10% 20%
17%
At least 2-points improved
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by investigator's FWS at maximum 7% 7% 10%
14%
frown
by subject's FWS at maximum frown 3% 8% 15%
14%
Table 6. Response rates based on FWS at day 240 (secondary efficacy variables)
Efficacy variable NT 201
(secondary endpoints)
20 U 50 U 75
U 100 U
At least 1-point improved
by investigator's FWS at maximum 15% 5% 13%
24%
frown
by subject's FWS at maximum frown 7% 8% 8%
24%
"None (0) or mild (1)"
by investigator's FWS at maximum 5% n.a. 5%
7%
frown
by subject's FWS at maximum frown 2% 2% 2%
9%
The investigator's and patient's assessment of overall improvement on the
glabella
lines using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) at day 180 is shown
in
Table 7.
Table 7. Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) at day 180
Parameter NT 201
(secondary endpoints)
20 U 50 U 75 U
100
GAIS at least improved
by investigator 42% 49% 67%
75%
by subject 35% 38%
53% 63%
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[0083] The above results demonstrate high response rates (responder rates)
across
all dose groups and a dose dependent prolongation of effect. It could also be
demonstrated (results not shown) that in spite of the reduced injection volume
the field
of effect was large enough to achieve a responder rate of 100 % at day 30
after
injection (responder 1-point improvement at max. frown as assessed
by the
investigator) across all dose groups with a sustained duration of effect.
[0084] The incidence of adverse events was comparable to those as known from
pivotal Phase III studies in the indication GEL. No dose dependent increase in
the
incidence of overall treatment emergent adverse events or related treatment
emergent
adverse events was observed. All doses were well tolerated, and the safety
profile is
consistent with the known safety profile of the approved dose of 20 U NT 201.
No new
safety concerns were detected. Specifically, no serious TEAEs (treatment-
emergent
adverse events) occurred. In particular, the incidence of eyelid ptosis (N=4
of 241) was
as low as 1.7%, and no other TEALS Is (treatment-emergent adverse events of
special
interest) related to treatment occurred.
[0085] Furthermore, although within the community of physicians higher doses
are
frequently associated with frozen face and an increase in adverse events, no
signs of
an unnatural look or frozen face were observed in the present study using
doses up to
100 U NT 201. Subjects as well as investigators were very satisfied with the
aesthetic
outcome and the long-lasting effect. Overall, the results show that the use of
high
doses of botulinum toxin concentrated in small injection volumes is very
effective, long-
lasting, well-tolerated, and safe.
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